First Baptist Church Christmas Village 2022 promises fun for the whole family

Comanche First Baptist Church will host the fourth annual Christmas Village, featuring fun activities for making family memories. This year the Village will be open from 6-8 each evening Dec. 5-9.

According to Pastor Mark Hall, the traditional buildings will still be there, plus two new features: a “Movie House” where children can view short cartoon-like videos about Christmas and an outdoor train for them to ride.

Pastor Hall said, “We will still have the Cocoa Shop, which includes an area for sipping on hot cocoa, coffee, or apple cider, and numerous places for family photos.” One photo area will include a candy cane lane where the entire family can get a wonderful picture.

The other buildings will all include interactive opportunities for family fun. The Carpenter Shop will be a place for hands-on nailing and drilling wood pieces as well as painting a wooden ornament to take home. The Post Office is where kids can write a Christmas card to a resident at the Meridian Nursing Home, the Girl’s Home in Madill, or to U.S. military servicemen and women; they will “stamp” the cards and drop them into the Christmas Village mailbox.

“We are looking forward to all the new things and even a new look for some of the traditional buildings” said Pastor Hall. He said the church is hoping to see attendance up from last year. “We are expecting lots of new guests to come and visit, since word has begun to spread about the Village.”

Returning favorites also include the Cookie Shop where youngsters can decorate their own Christmas cookie to eat right then and there, or to take home for a treat later. And in the Candle Shop they can make a candle to take home.

A stop at The Great Commission Travel Agency is where folks can learn about unreached people groups around the world. They will learn about many even here in the United States that have no knowledge of the real reason for Christmas.

Visitors wanting to share with others may bring non-perishable food items and toiletries for donation to Christian Helping Hands, and new toys for the local Toys for Tots. These items may be dropped off at the Village’s General Store.

Music will play a big part each evening. “We are planning on diverse groups including the High School choir, drum line and a brass ensemble” said LeAnna Hall, the pastor’s wife and organizer of the groups. “We will also have the Kindergarten and Pre-K’ers and a praise team from Trinity Christian Academy.”

Pastor Hall said he hopes the focus on missions and giving back to the community will help people to embrace the love offered through the birth of Christ at Christmas.

“We do this free event as a gift to the community to have family experiences and to enjoy the holiday season,” he said.

“We want to show the love of God to all those who attend.”

First Baptist Church is at 315 W. Oak Main, Comanche. For more information, please call 580-439-5335 or see the church webpage at www.comanchefirst.com.